Part 4: Chord alterations

Chord Primer

Part 4: Chord alterations

Sometimes chords can’t be described by only a root and a suffix, and they require an alteration. Alterations are sometimes in parentheses, sometimes not. Here are a couple examples. Note: these alterations can be found with pretty much any chord.

C(add2)

1-2-3-5. Not rocket science. It’s a C major chord with an added 2:

C(add4)

1-2-3-5. This chord is basically the combination of a C and a Csus. Sometimes you see it voiced with the 4th on top, rather than the 5th (as in the second example):

C(+4) or C(add#4)

1-3-#4-5. Sometimes you’ll see “+” used to indicate a sharp note. If this chord sounds strange as written, remember that there are lots of ways to order these pitches.

Cm(b2)

1-b2-b3-5. This is an example of a minor chord with an added b2. Less common, but groovy.